Agartala, 29th April 2026: Continuous heavy rainfall over the past three days has inundated large parts of Unakoti district, raising alarm as the water level of the Manu river swells dangerously. The situation has become particularly critical near Gate No. 62 of Lathiyapura Gram Panchayat in Gour Nagar block, along the India-Bangladesh border, where fears of a dam breach have sparked panic among locals.
This morning, MLA Birajit Sinha, Gournagar Panchayat Samiti Vice-Chairman Badruzzaman, and administrative officials visited the site. With BSF permission, they entered the fenced border area to inspect the vulnerable embankment. Officials noted that the pressure has intensified due to higher embankments built across the border in Bangladesh, worsening the strain on the Indian side.
Cracks have already appeared in sections of the dam, prompting emergency measures. Authorities have begun dumping soil-filled sacks and preparing cement blocks to reinforce the structure. District and subdivision officials inspected the area earlier, issuing instructions for immediate action. However, residents argue that these steps are insufficient and demand a permanent solution.
The Lathiyapura BSF Border Outpost (BOP) is at greatest risk, with fears that a breach would hit it first. Concern is mounting among jawans stationed there.
After the inspection, MLA Birajit Sinha warned of dire consequences if urgent steps are not taken. “The condition of the dam is extremely dangerous. If it collapses, multiple villages will be submerged. This cannot be solved with a few boulders or sandbags — senior engineers must assess the situation immediately,” he said. He criticized the government for neglecting repairs until the monsoon arrives, pointing out that sluice gates built nearly 40 years ago remain unrepaired. Sinha pledged to raise the issue in the Assembly tomorrow, highlighting the broader crisis facing the region.
